Category: PGA

After leading early, struggling, and regaining the lead, Peter Lonard limped home to his first PGA Tour victory, carding a +4 round of 75 on Hilton Head’s famed course at the MCI Heritage Classic. Lonard’s partner in the final pairing, Irishman Darren Clarke, didn’t fare much better and was wheeled on a gurney through two bogeys and two double bogeys in the last six holes to shoot a dismal 76.

Darren Clarke began the day at -10, trailing Lonard by one. After three straight birdies and a Lonard error or two, the lead flipped and the margin grew to four by the fifth hole: Clarke -13, Lonard -9. Sadly, for both players it was downhill from there.

Continue reading “Lonard Outlasts Clarke En Route to First PGA Tour Victory”

Peter Lonard proved that he knows how to stick with the competition starting the third round six strokes behind Darren Clarke and shooting a 6-under 66. He overtook Clarke by one stroke and found a measure of redemption after a disappointing 74. Lonard had an impressive six birdies throughout the day with the most memorable a 57 foot putt on the 15th hole. Apparently this putt was the longest ever shot from a blimp (for all you trivia nuts out there).

Lonard said, “I played as solid as I could have dreamed and unfortunately for Darren it didn’t work out his way. I can’t wait to get out tomorrow, I feel like I’ve been playing pretty good for the last month or so and getting no returns. Tee to green was solid, my chipping was great, and I hit a lot of good putts so I can’t ask for anymore. I’ve just got to go in tomorrow and see if I can do the same as what I did today.”

Continue reading “Lonard Leap-Frogs Clarke To Regain The Lead”

All the golfers at the MCI Heritage forgot to tell Darren Clarke that the course was playing pretty tough on Friday. He carded six birdies and zero bogeys in the second round to take a six-shot lead into the weekend. His total of 12-under par after two rounds is only one off the record set by Jack Nicklaus in 1975. Clarke attributes his great play at this golf course to just feeling comfortable. “I knew I liked the golf course and that’s why I’ve kept coming back,” he said. “It’s easier to play on a golf course you’re comfortable on than one that you’re not. I’m enjoying myself and playing pretty solid golf.”

Continue reading “Lonard Struggles, Clarke Takes Control At Harbour Town”

Harbour Town Golf Links is the site of this year’s MCI Heritage. None of the world’s top ten players are competing in this event and I’ve got a hunch that no one in this year’s field is missing any of them.

There is a good chance that no one in the top ten could have bettered Peter Lonard’s performance today as he posted an impressive 9-under 62. If Lonard hadn’t had a bogey on the first and last holes he’d have some bragging rights as he was only one stroke off the course record of 61. His eleven birdies in one round aren’t too shabby and it was good enough for the lead. In his four years on the PGA Tour, Lonard’s only PGA win came in 2003 at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at La-Costa.

Continue reading “Lonard Goes Low at MCI Heritage Amid Windy Conditions”

The Masters is now in the past as far as the tournament itself goes, but the memories of Sunday afternoon will stick with the fans for much longer. Davis Love III chipped in at 16 in the final round of The Masters once, but his memories are likely to be far stronger at this week’s PGA Tour stop at Hilton Head for the MCI Heritage. Davis Love III has won five times here, after all.

Continue reading “MCI Heritage Preview”

Another Masters Tournament is in the books. As usual, plenty of news was made at Augusta National Golf Club. Let’s take a quick run through some of the bigger topics, including Tiger (of course), Jack Nicklaus bowing out, and gamesmanship between two of the Big Four.

Tiger’s Fourth Masters Win
Where does Tiger Woods’ fourth Masters victory fit in with his previous three titles? 1997 was the most momentous, as he shocked the golf world with his domination. 2001 ranks second, as it completed the “Tiger Slam” of four consecutive major victories. 2002 is third, being most notable for making Woods only the third person to successfully defend a Masters title (along with Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo).

Continue reading “Quick Thoughts on the Masters”

Only two hours ago, Chris DiMarco held a four-stroke lead over Tiger Woods. Play ended yesterday with DiMarco at -13 and Tiger Woods at -9. Oh how a lead can change at Augusta!

In the span of two hours this morning, Chris DiMarco double-bogeyed the tenth, bogeyed the 14th, bogeyed the 15th, and bogeyed the 17th to fall to -8. Tiger Woods continued the birdie streak he began on 7, 8, and 9 right on through 10, 11, 12, and 13 to get to -13 before bogeying 14 and 15. He parred in and finished the third round at -11 after a firing tournament-low 66 and then a new tournament low (with Trevor Immelman) 65. Tiger is now three strokes clear of Chris DiMarco, whose third-round 74 matches Woods’ first round score.

Continue reading “Tiger Takes the Lead at Augusta”

Chris DiMarco fired a second straight 67 to finish off his second round in the morning, then came out firing in the afternoon with three birdies and no bogeys to get to -13. Tiger Woods, who finished off his morning with a tidy little 66, birdied five holes against no bogeys in the opening nine of the third round to get to -9.

Jack Nicklaus made news as well, noting that he would be playing in his last Masters. “I knew it was my last time walking up the fairway,” said Nicklaus. “Obviously, I had made up my mind. This is just too tough for me. I just can’t do this.” He tipped his hat to the gallery at the ninth – his last hole – and received a round of applause. This year marked the 45th Masters for the Golden Bear, winner of six. He finished at 153, +9 and five off the cut.

Continue reading “DiMarco Leads, Tiger Lurks, and 27 to Go at Augusta”